Eredivisie Predictions & Betting 18/19: Round 16 (vs James Rowe)

Every week in the 2018/19 season, Football-Oranje’s Michael Statham gives you his predictions and betting tips for each Dutch Eredivisie round. Michael competes against a different special guest each week. This time, it’s fellow Football-Oranje writer James Rowe.

Michael’s prediction: I think Willem II are the stronger team here but have not tasted victory on home soil since August. ADO, for me, have been lacklustre on far too many occasions. Supporters are not keen on wingers Hooi and Becker plus Necid offers little as a centre-forward. Arguably, only top scorer El Khayati has played above a ‘6/10’ in most matches this season when you think about the entire ADO squad. 2-1 | Tip: Fran Sol to score at any time.

James’s prediction: I am going for a draw here between the teams sitting 11th and 12th in the Eredivisie table. I believe that both sides will cancel each other out. Neither Willem II nor ADO Den Haag are in great form. 1-1

Saturday 15th December

PEC Zwolle v NAC Breda

Michael’s prediction: I was surprised that NAC beat Vitesse last weekend. The home wins are what could keep NAC out of trouble for yet another year. They’re still a highly vulnerable side though and have little bite in attack. PEC shouldn’t be too concerned, but they’ve been very poor at times too this season. This will be a low quality match where big mistakes will lead to goals. 1-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

James’s prediction: I believe that NAC Breda will take a lot of heart from last weekend’s home win against Vitesse. As we discussed recently on the Football-Oranje Podcast, I am confident that they will not be in the relegation mire come the end of the season. PEC Zwolle with four defeats in their last six are stuttering and in my opinion they need to get back to basics by becoming tough to beat at home again. 1-1

Heracles v PSV

Michael’s prediction: I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Heracles create plenty of good opportunities against PSV. Yet what’s also likely is that PSV will create double that amount of chances given Heracles’ brave style of play. Last weekend, Heracles were on the unfortunate end of chance conversion as they found themselves three down to Utrecht by half-time despite being the better attacking team! PSV face a tough match in Almelo but must simply be clinical at the other end. 2-3 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

James’s prediction: PSV had a good result midweek in Milan (1-1). It will be interesting to see how much that performance has taken out of them energy-wise. Heracles Almelo have suffered four defeats in their last six and I believe that even a ‘tired’ PSV Eindhoven will have too much for them in this match. 1-2

AZ v Excelsior

Michael’s prediction: Despite the recent news of John van den Brom’s end of season departure and AZ’s dodgy form in this campaign, they will have enough to comfortably beat Excelsior, who are notably incompetent against the leagues best attacking outfits (1-7 loss to Ajax, 3-0 loss to Feyenoord and 6-0 defeat to PSV). 3-1 | Tip: AZ winning half-time and full-time.

James’s prediction: It will be interesting to see how van den Brom’s players react in their first game since the announcement. I believe that they will win this match. Excelsior are punching above their weight but they have an impressive points total so far given that they were completely written off by some at the start of the season. 2-0

Vitesse v VVV-Venlo

Michael’s prediction: I have been surprised by the disappointing results for Vitesse lately. I previously spoke about how they were the ‘best of the rest’ and that they would win a fair few of their pre-Christmas fixtures, but they haven’t. Leonid Slutsky is also disappointed by this – judging by his interviews – yet what will he do to put it right? VVV have only won once in their last seven attempts, so can Vitesse take advantage this time? 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

James’s prediction: I fancy this match to be a draw. I think Vitesse will be weary of their defeat to NAC Breda last weekend and VVV Venlo have a habit of pulling off the odd surprising result especially away from home. 1-1

Sunday 16th December

Heerenveen v Utrecht

Michael’s prediction: I wonder how Dick Advocaat plays this one. He takes his restrictive Utrecht side to Heerenveen, who play a very open style. As an aside, what a rise it’s been for Utrecht – they were in the bottom three at the start of Autumn but now sit fourth as the fall draws to a close. An unpredictable and entertaining game awaits in Friesland. 2-1 | Tip: Both score no draw.

James’s prediction: Although FC Utrecht are in great form with four wins in their last six matches, I tip home advantage to see SC Heerenveen over the line here and for them to get a positive result. 1-1

Ajax v De Graafschap

Michael’s prediction: This could get messy. Ajax have been far more ruthless of late and the Champions League matches have escalated their team’s level. Meanwhile, De Graafschap seem to have gone backwards after seemingly starting to adjust to Eredivisie life. 6-0 | Tip: Ajax -2.5 Asian handicap.

James’s prediction: I will be going to this match at the Johan Cruyff ArenA this Sunday. I believe that Ajax will win 3-1 but I also think that their midweek Champions League match v Bayern Munich will have taken a lot of out them. De Graafschap, now bottom of the Eredivisie with four defeats in their last five matches, will be positive thanks to manager Henk De Jong. 3-1

Groningen v Emmen

Michael’s prediction: If you had told me back in August that both of these sides would have had the same number of points at this stage, I would have laughed! I fully expected Groningen to kick on and Emmen to greatly struggle. If anything, it has been the other way around until the last few weeks. Groningen are a more industrious and dangerous team at the moment, which will see them earn victory on Sunday. 2-1 | Tip: Both teams to score.

James’s prediction: I believe that home advantage will see FC Groningen over the line against an ever tenacious FC Emmen. Groningen are on a good run of form with three wins in their last five. I think that home advantage plays a key role in this match. FC Emmen have given their all in their previous matches and they can be proud of their efforts so far in their debut season in the Dutch top flight. 2-1

Feyenoord v Fortuna Sittard

Michael’s prediction: Feyenoord are becoming predictable to watch at home. You can take that comment positively or negatively. These matches are often quite dry to watch but fans in De Kuip are consistently sent home happy at the moment. Fortuna will try their best for an upset but I don’t see it. 3-0 | Tip: Over 2.5 goals.

James’s prediction: I believe that Feyenoord will put Fortuna Sittard away early in this fixture and secure their sixth Eredivisie win in a row. I must compliment Fortuna Sittard for currently sitting in 10th place upon their return to the Eredivisie after 16 years. 3-1

I'm a physics student from the UK and a massive Eredivisie fan. Started watching after being inspired by the Netherlands national team after the 2010 World Cup. Wilfred Bouma also has a big part to play in my initial keen interest in the league, being a Villa fan meant I wanted to keep track of my favourite player.